If your American when you go into a dealership...

What are when you come out with a volvo? never thought it would be possible to get into a volvo but we found a very good deal. God really directed us on this one. it is an 05 v50 wagon, with only 27 k miles. the only reason we got it was because it has a temp. reader in the dash panel. :) not really, but that's what Debbie really wanted. We don't really like the white... but who cares about color when the inside is so nice? This car has more 'bells and whistles' than we even knew existed! We are excited!

No, we aren't getting any more sleep. The nursing all night thing is really getting to us. On a good night, when he's not teething or sick, he does ok. Maybe those teeth will come fast!

Zombies...

That's what Ben and I feel like.... Between Ryan's nightmares about red snakes and Matthew's snotty nose and teething we aren't getting any sleep. I guess we were lucky when Ryan was little. He always slept so nicely. Matthew is still wanting to eat all night.... the FUN!!!! of parenting :) Sounds like we weren't the only ones up with kids this past week.... Poor Abigail! Ryan looks so pathetic when he pukes. Or 'cupes' as he calls it :) Did we mention our infestation of ants yet? We have an actual nest under the carpet in our closet. They have now moved out to the dining area and to Ryan's closet. Pray that they go away!! The bug people think there might be a crack in the foundation that will have to be repaired before they will 'move out.' We are still looking for a replacement for the ford. We found a really nice car that we are really thinking about. It's a Volvo V50 wagon. It is soooo super nice.... and it's the right price and it's got lots of room, good gas mileage..... the only negative is that it's white. But, hey, it won't get super hot in the summer time, right? it even has room enough for 3 car seats in case of an oops :)
Church is going well right now. Our neighbors actually came and visited this morning. I hope they liked it and will keep coming. The nursery is the largest growing part right now. We have 20-30 0-2yr olds on Sunday morning and 4 more little ones on the way. That's a lot considering the size of our church. Hope everyone is doing okay... and getting more sleep than us....

Book Talk

I have been reading a new book and was wondering if anyone has read it. Its called "Son of a Preacher" by Jay Bakker. Jay is the son of Jim and Tammy Faye and he tells of his life growing up. I'm still trying to figure out where he stands. He talks a lot about God and scriptures but has some very far out beliefs. William and I saw him on Larry King Live the other night and checked out his website. We discussed it at HOME group and a friend bought it and let me borrow it. Very interesting.

Jet Lag + Stomach Flu = Ugh!

We arrived back home from our visit to the states (more on that later) on Tuesday. Wednesday night we had high hopes for getting us all on a better sleep schedule. Abigail woke up around 3 am though with vomiting and dry heaves for about 3 hours. We'd hoped it would just be a 24 hour thing, but it's now Saturday and we're still battling that with her.

Each night we've been awake from about midnight to 5 or 6am then end up sleeping most of the day. We're exhausted and could use some prayer! Please pray for God's grace and strength to be in our home and for his mercy in healing Abigail's tired little body.

Thank you so much!

Joy

I was thinking this week how blessed we are. Before Noah was born I prayed that our little boy would be joyfull among other things...and he is. It's so fun to wake up with a little boy smiling up at you and he doesn't stop until he is tired. Okay, he has his moments but don't we all? I just had to share MY joy at Noah's joy.

He has learned so much this past week. He discovered his feet, he is rolling both ways now, pushing up high on his hands, up on his feet and getting his bottom in the air. I expect him to be crawling soon. He is very determined and he won't be 4 months until Wednesday! He is really enjoying his "walking" chair. It's nice because that means I can get some things done in the kitchen. He looks so old in it.

Noah and I leave for Texas on the 27th for a wedding and to visit my brother and friends. We'll let you know how it goes. I'm excited to show him off. Enjoy your week!

Matthew...

Hey my little man is getting big quick! He will be 6 months on thursday :) Here is some of the latest photo shoot...

Drama.... that's pretty much the best word to describe life here in Pensacola. We are thinking of replacing our Fix Or Repair Daily with something not-so problematic. We are looking at the Vibe and the jeep Patriot. The matrix was in the running, but I think it may be too small.... Church is going good. We visited a family that 's been coming tonight. They were very nice! I hope they come back. Matthew is eating veggies and fruit now. He eats a whole jar and a whole bowl of cereal too in one meal! and then he wants to nurse too. Sometimes he pukes from eating too much :) He can't get enough of his 'real' food!

The Cousins Unite

Noah finally got to meet a cousin!! Joel, Amy and Abigail took time out of their VERY busy schedule to hang out with us on Friday evening. It was so good to see them again and for Noah to meet Abigail. I thought Noah was big but then we held Abigail. What a difference a year makes. It's a good thing Noah grows up slow enough for my arms to grow with him.

Abigail got to open her presents but was quite preoccupied with all of Noah's toys. We then had pizza with Joel & Amy and went on a walk. They seem to be doing well but very busy with showing the students around. Right now they're in CA.

We're doing well. It was finally sunny again here. It actually got into the 80s today but by Thursday it will be rainy and in the low 70s again. I had to take Noah to the Dr today. His sensitive skin (thanks to Jon) apparently doesn't like his drool and it gives him a rash. I'm glad it's that and nothing else. I think I'm gonna go play with the boys. Jon is making Noah laugh and I want to join in the fun.

Coast to coast...

Hey guys,
Erin, Noah and I went camping this past weekend at the coast with our church. It was nice and dry (which was unexpected) and we got to meet some new families in the church which was the purpose of the trip. So, we had fun. We went to visit an old fort near the camp sites, Fort Stevens. It was an interesting place build during the civil war named after a man from Washington state who died in the civil war. Can you figure that one out? It was also used during WWII to protect us from the imminent attack from Japan. I like to make fun of our military presence here in the northwest :) I just don't think anyone would want to attack us by Oregon or Washington then march through Idaho, Montana, the Bad Lands and Missouri before they hit anything of significance. If I were to attack the U.S. I think I would come in at South Carolina or maybe Florida. We also went to shipwreck beach. It was named that because.... well there was a huge ship that "shipwrecked" there a long time ago before they had the machinary to get rid of it or move it so it remains on the beach, most of it is still under the sand but a good portion of the front remains visible. Sooo, that was our excitment. Noah did great at his first time camping and loved being outside so much. It was a bit chilly, but the campfires felt nice. I love living in a place where a daily high in August can reach 67 deg.! (had to rub it in, sorry) Well, that's all for today. Love you all!

School - not for the faint of heart!

William and the rest of the family went school shopping today to find him just the right book bag. Mission accomplished! Fits the new notebook computer as well as the engineering size books! Notice the thumb positions. He is a man with a mission! Go William!